Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B05—SPRAYING OR ATOMISING IN GENERAL; APPLYING FLUENT MATERIALS TO SURFACES, IN GENERAL
  • B05B—SPRAYING APPARATUS; ATOMISING APPARATUS; NOZZLES
  • B05B11/00—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use
  • B05B11/01—Single-unit hand-held apparatus in which flow of contents is produced by the muscular force of the operator at the moment of use characterised by the means producing the flow
  • B05B11/10—Pump arrangements for transferring the contents from the container to a pump chamber by a sucking effect and forcing the contents out through the dispensing nozzle
  • B05B11/1001—Piston pumps
  • B05B11/1015—Piston pumps actuated without substantial movement of the nozzle in the direction of the pressure stroke

Definitions

• Fluid dispensing head and device incorporating such a head are provided.
• the present invention relates to a dispensing head intended to be mounted on or associated with a fluid reservoir.
• the invention also relates to a dispensing device incorporating such a head.
• the present invention has preferred but not exclusive fields of application for cosmetics, perfumery and pharmaceuticals.
• Fluid dispensing devices of the prior art generally comprise a container filled with fluid, such as cream, lotion, perfume, etc., and a dispensing member, such as a pump or a valve, mounted on a neck formed by the container.
• This member is adapted to collect the fluid contained in said container following manual actuation exerted by a user on a pusher.
• the mounting of this body is usually provided by means of a fixing ring, usually made of plastic material.
• a trim band may also be provided so as to cover at least partially this ring for aesthetic purposes and / or locking the ring on the neck of the container.
• the dispensing member generally comprises a pump body in which slides a piston in reciprocating movements.
• This piston is generally integral with an actuating rod axially movable by pressing on the pusher.
• This actuating rod often defines internally a conduit in which the fluid can flow.
• This conduit is then placed in fluid communication with a distribution channel formed in the pusher.
• This distribution channel then opens into a dispensing orifice ensuring the output of the fluid product.
• the actuation of the dispenser member may be performed by a separate pusher, not defining a distribution channel or dispensing orifice. Such a pusher is in this case only dedicated to the actuation of the dispenser member and therefore does not participate in the delivery of the fluid as such.
• the dispensing orifice can therefore be either mobile, that is to say move simultaneously to the movements of the pusher, or is fixed, that is to say remain permanently stationary and thus be independent of the actuating stroke pusher.
• the orifice of distribution is formed by a nozzle.
• Such a nozzle can be described as mobile or fixed jet.
• the document FR 2 843 639 discloses a fluid dispenser assembly incorporating a fixed nozzle.
• the actuating rod integral with the pusher moves axially while the nozzle remains permanently in a fixed position.
• the axial movements back and forth from the rod are then compensated by a flexible tube connecting the actuating rod to the nozzle.
• the rod is provided with a connecting sleeve and the nozzle is supported by a nozzle holder.
• the flexible tube connects the sleeve to the nozzle holder.
• the tube comprises for this purpose two connection parts engaged with the sleeve and the nozzle holder.
• the connecting parts are both positioned laterally, preferably on the same side with respect to the connecting sleeve and the nozzle holder.
• the flexible tube then extends into the dispensing head so as to deviate from a plane passing through the actuating rod and the fixed nozzle.
• Such a structure is particularly suitable for dispensing heads having an oblong or ellipsoidal cross section.
• a first drawback related to this type of device is that such a flexible tube, which protrudes radially outwards with respect to the plane passing through the actuating rod and the fixed nozzle, is absolutely not compatible with heads.
• dispenser having a more compact or elongated configuration, such as a cubic configuration, spherical, cylindrical, etc. Indeed, in such a case, there is not enough room in the head to allow the tube to extend laterally. It can not be made shorter, because it must provide support for the descent of the actuating rod which would then be at the origin of a high voltage created at the ends of the tube connecting to the holder. nozzle and on the actuating rod.
• connection means can not be made in one piece and thus require a pre-assembly of the pipe on the connection sleeve and on the nozzle holder before be positioned on their corresponding reception structures.
• connection means can not be made in one piece and thus require a pre-assembly of the pipe on the connection sleeve and on the nozzle holder before be positioned on their corresponding reception structures.
• the present invention therefore aims to define a fluid dispensing head overcoming the aforementioned drawbacks of the prior art. More particularly, the present invention aims to define a fixed spray fluid dispenser head easier to produce, assemble and lower cost.
• an object of the present invention is still to define a narrow size distribution head and compact shape provided with a fixed nozzle.
• the present invention proposes a fluid dispenser head intended to be mounted on a fluid reservoir comprising a dispensing member, such as a pump, for taking the fluid product contained in said reservoir, said dispensing member comprising a body and an actuating rod axially displaceable in said body, an axially displaceable pusher for actuating the displacement of the actuating rod, a dispensing orifice through which the fluid product is dispensed at each actuation of the dispenser member, said orifice being fixedly mounted relative to the body and the reservoir, a flexible connecting tube connecting the actuating rod to the dispensing orifice, said tube comprising a first connection end secured to the stem; actuator and a second connection end secured to the dispensing orifice, the first end being mite extending substantially parallel to the actuating rod.
• the first end extends substantially in the axial extension of the actuating rod.
• the flexible tube or flexible no longer laterally from the actuating rod as is the case in FR 2,843,639, but vertically above the actuating rod.
• This allows for fixed spray dispensing heads whose overall configuration is slender or higher. Indeed, when the head is narrow and high, there is no room in the head around the actuating rod. On the other hand, there is room above the actuating rod.
• the first end may be axially offset relative to the rod while remaining substantially parallel. The first end may form an angle relative to the axis of the rod, but this angle must remain low, of the order of 20 °.
• the second connection end extends substantially parallel to the first connection end.
• the second end may be at an angle to the first end, but this angle must remain small.
• said actuating rod, said first and second connection ends and the dispensing orifice extend in the same plane.
• the flexible tube extends in an axial vertical plane, and that it remains in this plane, even during the displacement of the actuating rod.
• the tube deforms at a location that is not located at its connecting ends.
• the tube advantageously forms a U-shaped loop, and it is the curved portion of the loop that deforms, the ends of the branches moving axially without deformation. Therefore, the configuration and arrangement of the flexible tube according to the invention are particularly well suited to heads having a large rod stroke.
• the first connection end is provided with a connection sleeve connected to the actuating rod and the second end is provided with a nozzle holder receiving a nozzle forming the dispensing orifice.
• the nozzle holder being fixedly mounted relative to the body and the tank.
• the nozzle holder is a type of dispensing part at which the fluid product is dispensed.
• the dispensing portion is provided with or without a nozzle.
• the connecting sleeve and the dispensing portion are made in one piece with the flexible connecting tube.
• the axial orientation of the first connection end of the tube connected to the sleeve allows for the assembly by plastic molding using a straight pin which extends from the sleeve and which forms the conduit of the tube.
• the molding pin extends to the nozzle holder.
• said first and second connection ends respectively extend above the connection sleeve and the distribution part.
• the dispensing orifice is located at an axial height substantially identical to the axial height at which the actuating rod is located in the rest position.
• the dispensing orifice is at an axial height less than the axial height at which the actuating rod is located in the rest position. This is possible because the second end connected to the nozzle holder extends vertically parallel to the axis of the actuating rod, and thus occupies very little space in the head, the deformation of the tube occurring. at its bent part.
• the invention also defines a fluid dispenser comprising a fluid dispensing head as defined above associated with a fluid reservoir.
• FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a dispensing head according to the invention
• FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dispensing head according to the invention mounted on a product reservoir; fluid, said head being in the rest position
• Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view similar to Figure 2 of a head in the actuating position.
• the dispensing head according to the invention is intended to be associated with a fluid reservoir (visible in Figures 2 and 3).
• This dispensing head together with the fluid reservoir form a fluid dispensing device.
• this dispensing head comprises a dispensing member 1, a fixing ring 2, a trim band 3, an insert 4, a tip 5 and a pusher 7.
• the dispensing member 1 may be a pump or a conventional valve. Taking the example of a pump, the dispensing member 1 comprises a pump body 10 in which is mounted an actuating rod 11.
• This actuating rod 11 is generally integral with a piston (not shown) adapted to slide in a sealed manner by friction in said pump body.
• This rod, this piston and this pump body together define a pump chamber provided with inlet and outlet valves.
• the actuating rod internally defines a channel through which fluid can flow following the descent of the rod, together with the piston, into the body of pump. The piston and the rod can then be returned to the rest position under the action of a return spring (not shown), generally disposed in the pump body 10.
• This type of dispensing member is quite conventional, and is absolutely not critical for the present invention.
• the dispensing member 2 is fixed on a neck C of a tank R by means of the fixing ring 2.
• This fixing ring may be a crimp ring, screw or as shown, snap-fit.
• the method of attachment of the dispensing member on a reservoir is not critical for the present invention, this attachment will not be further detailed.
• the trim band 3 may be made of plastic material or metal material.
• This hoop may have any suitable configuration such as a parallelepipedal configuration, cubic, spherical, ovoid, etc.
• the hoop 3 comprises in this case four walls: a front wall 30, a rear wall 32 and two side walls 31, 33 connecting the front and rear walls.
• These walls each comprise an outer face and an inner face.
• the front wall 30 is traversed by a dispensing opening 300 thus connecting the inner lace to the outer face of the front wall.
• the hoop surrounds the ring 2 and thus locks the ring on the neck.
• the hoop in addition to this locking function, has another more aesthetic function by extending upwardly so as to create an internal space that will be used to house the insert 4, the tip 5, the pusher closing this internal space .
• the insert 4 is a piece with a complex geometry comprising as shown in FIG. 1, a frame 40, a guide column 41 and a positioning column 42.
• the frame 40 may have any suitable shape. According to the example shown, this frame is rectangular. This frame forms a frame from which extend downward or upward various constituent parts of this insert.
• the guide columns 41 extend upwards from the frame 40. These two guide columns extend in this case substantially in facing relation to the two respective widths of the frame 40 of FIG. the insert. In this embodiment, these columns each comprise a guide slot 410. The role of these slots will be explained later. In this example, these guide columns occupy a substantially median position at the widths of the frame 40.
• the positioning columns 42 extend upwardly from the frame 40, substantially further forward with respect to the guide columns 41. These positioning columns, also located opposite one another, extend from two adjacent corners of the frame 40. These columns have in the case shown a configuration of L-shaped angles. As visible in Figure 1, these columns each comprise a positioning groove 420 whose function will be described below.
• the nozzle 5 comprises different component parts, namely a front portion 50, a distribution portion 51, a flexible connecting tube 52, a connecting sleeve 53 and a guide portion and thrust transmission 54.
• the front portion 50 has according to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 a substantially parallelepiped rectangular configuration.
• This rectangular parallelepiped defines two widths from which extend slightly slidably two sliding bars 500.
• This front part defines a mounting opening 501 for a nozzle 6.
• the distribution portion 51 is here in the form of a nozzle holder associated with a nozzle 6.
• the nozzle holder 51 extends rearwardly from said front piece 50.
• This nozzle holder forms a part substantially cylindrical located in the extension of the mounting opening 501.
• This nozzle holder can define with the nozzle 6 set up a swirl system comprising swirl channels and a swirl chamber opening on a dispensing orifice 60 formed by the nozzle 6.
• the nozzle holder and nozzle define a distribution axis which is here perpendicular to the axis of movement of the rod.
• the dispensing part can be in the form of a simple dispensing outlet (without nozzle).
• the flexible connecting tube 52 connects, via a first connection end 521 and a second connection end 522 respectively, the connecting sleeve 53 to the nozzle holder 51.
• the guide portion and thrust transmission 54 extends on either side of the connecting sleeve 53. This portion 54 comprises two guide vanes 540 and a support platform 541.
• the tip 5 is intended to be fixed on the one hand on the actuating rod 11 by connection (for example by fitting) of the connecting sleeve 53 on the free end of the actuating rod 11 and secondly to the insert 4 by engaging the bars 500 in the grooves 420.
• connection for example by fitting
• the connecting sleeve 53 and the connecting end 521 of the tube 52 extend axially, preferably vertically in the extension of the actuating rod in this mounting position.
• the end 521 is axially offset relative to the rod, while remaining parallel.
• the end 521 extends slightly off the axis.
• the first and second connection ends 521 and 522 of the connecting tube 52 extend in a plane coinciding with the plane defined by the actuating rod 11 and the dispensing orifice. (nozzle). This plane is the sectional plane of Figures 2 and 3.
• the connecting tube 52 has a U-shape or horseshoe.
• This tube preferably extends completely in the plane defined by the rod 11 and the dispensing opening 300.
• the first and second ends 521, 522 of the tube 52 and the tube 52 as a whole are positioned. above the connection sleeve and the nozzle holder, and not laterally as taught in the prior art, then forming an arch overhanging the rod 11 and the nozzle 6.
• Such a tube then in fluid communication with said rod
• the second end 522 advantageously also extends substantially axially, that is to say substantially parallel to the first end 521.
• the second end is substantially perpendicular to the distribution axis of the nozzle. According to another advantageous characteristic, the nozzle
• the connecting sleeve 53, the tube 52 and the nozzle holder 51 are made in one piece.
• Such an embodiment of course has an undeniable advantage from a point of view of the manufacture and assembly of these flexible connection means. This is possible because the end 521 extends axially.
• a molding pin can thus form the inner pipe of the tube from the sleeve.
• the tube is molded straight with the sleeve and the nozzle holder and then bent.
• the pusher 7 is intended to be operated manually by a user.
• This pusher comprises an upper actuating wall 70 and two lateral guide walls 71.
• An axial thrust transmission block 72 extends downwardly from the wall 70.
• This transmission block comprises two spaced apart pillars. relative to each other by a gap 720. These pillars both have a recess provided with a bottom core 720 whose function will be described below.
• the pusher 7 is intended to be embedded in the trim band 3 and thus to be positioned above the insert 4 and the end piece 5.
• This pusher 7 controls the displacement of the actuating rod 11 of its rest position shown in Figure 2 to its actuating position shown in Figure 3.
• the pusher 7 guided axially by the side walls 31, 33 of the hoop 3 is actuated by a manual support exerted by the user.
• the bottom cores 720 of the pillars then abut against the bearing platforms 541. These stops then cause a simultaneous lowering of the guide and thrust transmission piece 54. This descent is then guided by the sliding guide vanes 540. in the guide slots 410 of the insert 4.
• this part 54 then actuates the rod 11 which moves in the pump body and causes a decrease in volume of the pump chamber.
• the fluid product contained in the chamber then gains the distribution pipe defined internally by the actuating rod 11, then the flexible connecting tube 52 before being ejected at the dispensing orifice of the nozzle 6.
• a portion of the flexible connecting tube 53 may be interfered with in the gap 721. This has the effect of allowing the orientation of the tube 52 to be maintained and thus to prevent this tube gene co-operation between the bottom webs 720 and the support platforms 541.

Landscapes

• Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
• Closures For Containers (AREA)

Priority Applications (2)

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Publications (1)

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Citations (4)

Family Cites Families (8)

• 2005
  • 2005-06-03 FR FR0551496A patent/FR2886631B1/fr not_active Expired - Fee Related
• 2006
  • 2006-06-01 WO PCT/FR2006/050498 patent/WO2006129039A1/fr not_active Ceased
  • 2006-06-01 US US11/915,939 patent/US7886939B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2006-06-01 EP EP06778911A patent/EP1907296B1/fr not_active Not-in-force
  • 2006-06-01 ES ES06778911T patent/ES2371036T3/es active Active

Patent Citations (4)

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